Museveni Pardons Ex-Permanent Secretary Kashaka in UGX 4.2Bn Bicycle Scandal
By The Public Lens
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has exercised his presidential pardon, freeing John Muhanguzi Kashaka, the former Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government, from his 10-year prison sentence.
Kashaka had been serving time for causing a financial loss of UGX 4.2 billion to the government in the Local Council I bicycle procurement scandal.
This development was confirmed by Uganda Prison Services on October 3, 2024.
According to Moses Ssentalo, the Commissioner of Prison Assistant Public Relations Officer, Kashaka’s release comes after serving five years, two months, and nine days in prison, with pardon of the sentence and award of compensation.
The pardon was granted under Article 121 (1)(a) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as amended.
Kashaka and his co-accused, Henry Bamutura (now deceased), were convicted by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court for causing financial loss and sentenced to 10 years and 10 days in prison.
Initially, the Court of Appeal granted bail to Kashaka and Bamutura in November and December 2014, respectively.
However, on December 2, 2019, the same court upheld their conviction and sentence, committing them to prison.
Bamutura was later granted bail by the Supreme Court on March 16, 2020, after spending eight months and 19 days in prison.
Kashaka and Bamutura faced charges of abuse of office, leading to a significant financial loss to the government.
The procured bicycles were intended for parish and local council chairpersons during the 2011 general election.
